About Malwina Gudowska
Well-versed in all sartorial matters, Calgary City Editor Malwina Gudowska is forever fighting the good fight in abolishing that awful moniker (starts with cow and ends with town) that has undeservingly been bestowed on her city. With timely tips, insider info and the latest scoops, she’ll take you into the heart of the cool new West.
Take a Bite Out of Banff
cool & collected in calgary: bon appétit banff Calgary, canada
(Nov.16.11)
As a fair-weather skier, I always look forward to après-ski (with a few "mid-skis" thrown into the day as well). But starting tomorrow, skiing is the last reason I'll be going up to Banff and Lake Louise, at least for the next 10 days. From Nov. 17th until the 27th, participating restaurants in Banff and Lake Louise (at last count, there were 23) are offering three-course menus at a prix fixe of either $25 or $35 as part of the inaugural Bon Appétit Banff festival.
I was lucky enough to sample a few of the menus last week and I can vouch that the six restaurants I tried are all offering amazing meals at a great price. If you think about it, an entrée at a nice restaurant will usually set you back at least $20 to $30 alone. Here, you get an appetizer and dessert as well for that price. Most of the restaurants are offering three choices of each course so there's the option of trying everything if you're dining with someone else, and there's no need to worry if you're a picky eater.
Some of my favourite dishes that I tried and that will be on the menus during the festival include the trio of appetizers from Giorgio's: a caesar salad, antipasti sampler or grilled calamari (choose one of them before the entrée and then dessert all for $25).
The Tofino King Salmon with shallot soubise, sunchoke croquette, brussel leaves and micro green salad as a main choice a The Juniper Hotel and Bistro. (Prix fixe at The Juniper is $35.)
And really, everything at Balkan, The Greek Restaurant. This is a sampling plate with all the entrée choices including the delectable vegetarian mousaka and Athenian chicken stuffed with spinach and feta cheese. (Prix fixe at Balkan is $25.) Unfortunately, I was too full to really appreciate the Baklava Cheesecake for dessert. And if you can make it out on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, that's Greek Night and in addition to a delectable feast, you'll also be treated to live belly dancing, dance lessons if you wish, and some plate smashing of course. That's me in the black-and-white striped sweater below trying to look like I know what I'm doing.
There are plenty of other restaurants participating so check out the event site for more details plan a roadtrip as soon as possible.